Word of the Day: Surmise
What's the story
The word "surmise," a verb, refers to the act of forming an opinion or making a judgment without sufficient evidence.
It involves inferring or guessing something based on limited facts or appearances, often when certainty is lacking.
"Surmise" is commonly used in situations where one is speculating or making an assumption.
Origins
Origin of 'surmise'
The term "surmise" comes from the Old French word surmeser, meaning "to overmeasure or to estimate."
It was derived from the Latin word supermetiri, where "super" means "over" and "metiri" means "to measure."
Over time, its meaning evolved to signify making an assumption or guess without definite proof.
Synonyms
Synonyms for 'surmise'
Synonyms for "surmise" include guess, speculate, assume, infer, and hypothesize.
These words all suggest forming an idea or opinion based on incomplete evidence, though "surmise" often carries a slightly more tentative or uncertain connotation.
The right synonym can depend on the context in which you're making an educated guess.
Usage
Sentence usage
Here's how you can use "surmise" in a sentence:
"Based on the dark clouds gathering in the sky, I can only 'surmise' that a storm is approaching."
"After hearing the sudden noise, I can only 'surmise' that someone dropped something heavy."
"From her quiet demeanor and the way she's been avoiding eye contact, I 'surmise' that she's upset about something."
Precision
Why use the word
Using the word "surmise" allows for expressing speculation in a more precise and thoughtful manner.
It conveys the sense of making a judgment based on indirect evidence, often hinting at uncertainty.
This makes it useful in contexts where one is considering possibilities or attempting to explain something without all the facts.